Douglas Ritchie

Douglas Ernest Ritchie (1905-1967)[1][2] was a news editor at the BBC.

For the Rhodesian politician, see Douglas Hamilton Ritchie.

World War II

Ritchie, at the time an assistant news editor, broadcast to German-occupied countries during the war. He adopted the moniker "Colonel Britton",[3] and his identity was a closely guarded secret until after the war.[4]

He was in charge of the BBC's wartime "V for Victory" campaign.

He created the "Continental V Army".[5]

By the time of the disclosure of his identity in 1945 he was director of the European news department of the BBC.[6]

Post war

After the end of the war Ritchie rose to the position of head of publicity at the BBC. At the age of 50 he suffered a stroke.[7]

His book Stroke (Faber & Faber, 1960) was hailed by John O'Londons as "A triumph of the highest order".[8]

See also

    References
    1. http://janus.lib.cam.ac.uk/db/node.xsp?id=EAD%2FGBR%2F0014%2FNERI Papers of Douglas E Ritchie and Noel Newsome
    2. http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp76000/douglas-ernest-ritchie National Portrait Gallery listing
    3. Ronald Seth (1969). The truth-benders: psychological warfare in the Second World War. Frewin. p. 129.
    4. Joseph F. Clarke (1977). Pseudonyms. BCA. p. 27.
    5. Helena Hall (2014). A Woman in the Shadow of the Second World War: Helena Hall's Journal from the Home Front. Pen and Sword. p. 266. ISBN 9781473823259.
    6. "The Illustrated London News". Illustrated London News. 206. 1945. p. 619.
    7. Monnica Charlotte Stewart (1968). My brother's keeper?. Health Horizon. p. 19.
    8. "Out of the Pit". John o'London's. 3: 132. 1960.


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